rather knowledgeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather knowledgeable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a significant amount of knowledge on a particular subject or in general. Example: "She is rather knowledgeable about ancient history, often sharing fascinating insights during discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Management consultants, in my experience at least, tend to be rather knowledgeable about fancy restaurants near them that also deliver).

The Economist

Vague, some might say, but I was one of those kids who had been reading adult books since I was 7 or 8; "The Carpetbaggers," "Peyton Place," delving especially deep into my uncle's Mickey Spillane collection, and I considered myself rather knowledgeable.

The New York Times

Counseled by rather knowledgeable advisors, after his election Rouhani immediately undertook far-reaching negotiations on the nuclear program in an attempt to lift the sanctions that weigh heavily on Iran's economy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For example, they are rather less knowledgeable about politics, and much more likely to say they follow news and public affairs "only now and then" or "hardly at all".

The New York Times

A blunt, impatient man, Mr Rossel is no great listener; his advisers are deferential rather than knowledgeable.Mr Rossel and his fellow supergovernors are a rising class, but the new arrangement that gives them increasing clout in the centre is not backed by unfettered power over their fiefs at home.

The Economist

Because they might prefer to appear knowledgeable rather than ignorant, their real familiarity was tested by asking them to identify characteristics of the area.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The new social travel sites will compete not so much on how good their pricing data is, but rather on how knowledgeable their community is.

TechCrunch

Needless to say, support is not a substitute for personal expertise and individual responsibility, but an organisation which opens up dialogic spaces with the knowledgeable rather than the novice newcomer, is surely a more resilient one.

BMC Medical Education

Be knowledgeable rather than jumping on bandwagons.

WikiHow

Maybe, as we all get older, more cranky and even less willing to spend precious hours with unsupportive "support," companies will realize that we do not need yet another feature on our cellphone or high-definition television, but rather a helpful and knowledgeable human at the other end of the phone when things inevitably go wrong.

The New York Times - Tech

This way, the application-knowledgeable algorithm, rather than the application-ignorant CPU, is in control.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather knowledgeable" when you want to indicate that someone possesses a good level of knowledge without exaggerating their expertise. It's suitable for describing someone who is well-informed but not necessarily an expert.

Common error

Avoid using "rather knowledgeable" when describing someone who is clearly an expert in their field. Opt for stronger terms like "highly knowledgeable" or "expert" to accurately reflect their level of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather knowledgeable" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun, typically a person. It indicates that the person possesses a notable degree of knowledge. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather knowledgeable" is a valid and usable English phrase that indicates a moderate level of expertise. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not as strong as "very knowledgeable", it suggests a solid understanding of a subject. It finds use in a range of contexts, particularly in news, scientific publications, and wikis, maintaining a neutral tone. When writing, consider alternatives like ""quite knowledgeable"" or ""fairly knowledgeable"" based on the specific level of expertise you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overstate expertise by using it when a stronger term is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite knowledgeable

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "rather" with "quite" to indicate a similar level of knowledge.

fairly knowledgeable

This alternative uses "fairly" instead of "rather", maintaining a similar level of moderate knowledge.

very knowledgeable

This alternative intensifies the degree of knowledge, suggesting a higher level of expertise than "rather knowledgeable".

pretty knowledgeable

This alternative is more informal, using "pretty" to express a similar degree of knowledge as "rather".

reasonably knowledgeable

This alternative implies a logical or justifiable level of knowledge.

somewhat knowledgeable

This alternative softens the degree of knowledge, suggesting a slightly lower level than "rather knowledgeable".

well-informed

This alternative shifts the focus to being informed, implying knowledge gained through information.

conversant with

This alternative indicates familiarity and ease of discussion on a particular topic.

familiar with

This alternative suggests acquaintance with a subject, implying a basic level of knowledge.

acquainted with

This alternative is slightly more formal than "familiar with", suggesting a similar level of basic knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "rather knowledgeable" in a sentence?

You can use "rather knowledgeable" to describe someone who has a good understanding of a subject, but isn't necessarily an expert. For example: "She is "rather knowledgeable" about art history."

What are some alternatives to "rather knowledgeable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "quite knowledgeable", "fairly knowledgeable", or "well-informed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "rather knowledgeable" or "very knowledgeable"?

The choice depends on the degree of expertise you want to convey. "Very knowledgeable" suggests a higher level of expertise than "rather knowledgeable". Use "rather knowledgeable" when you want to indicate a good, but not necessarily exceptional, understanding.

What is the difference between "familiar with" and "rather knowledgeable"?

"Familiar with" implies a basic acquaintance or understanding, while "rather knowledgeable" suggests a more in-depth understanding and greater expertise. Someone "familiar with" a topic knows the basics, while someone ""rather knowledgeable"" has a more comprehensive grasp of it.